Make London pharmacies your first port of call this winter 

London’s community pharmacies have delivered over four million consultations for everyday conditions in just one year, preventing calls to NHS 111 and reducing GP waiting lists.   

With 95% of the capital’s pharmacies now signed up to treat seven common conditions through NHS Pharmacy First, Londoners are reaping the benefits of faster, more accessible healthcare.

Since February 2024, London pharmacies have treated over 43,800 earache cases, helped more than 232,000 sore throats, and dealt with over 65,000 sinusitis cases.

Around 10% of these consultations would have otherwise been calls to NHS 111 and nearly 40% of cases would have been added to GP waiting lists.

Most Londoners are only 15 minutes away from a local pharmacy and this Ask Your Pharmacist Week, the NHS asks people to make use of pharmacy services to beat winter bugs.

Emily Wighton, Regional Senior Pharmacy Integration Lead for the NHS in London, said: “Pharmacists are lightening the load for local GPs and urgent care by providing trusted and timely care, close to home, for some of the most common conditions.

“By giving people quicker and more convenient access to care for seven common conditions without referral, community pharmacies are driving the NHS shift from hospital to community. This is especially important over the winter months, to free up urgent care capacity and GP appointments for patients who need them most.

“If you need support for minor illnesses this winter, think Pharmacy First. You can get seen by your local pharmacy team quickly, easily, and on the day.”

Nominated for the Chemist and Druggist’s Independent Pharmacy of the Year Award, Mitcham Pharmacy offers exemplary NHS services to South West London communities.

Abi Alaba, Pharmacist at Mitcham Pharmacy, said: “Pharmacies do more than hand you your medication. They’re highly trained professionals who can help you through your health concerns.

“Patients can simply walk into the pharmacy without having to go to their GP, and access support for things like sore throats and sinusitis, especially during the winter months where these conditions are prevalent.

“Community pharmacies like ours should be your first port of call this winter for minor health issues.”

Offering over-the-counter services for seven key conditions as part of the NHS Pharmacy First programme, Mitcham Pharmacy’s staff are dedicated to improving access to care and reducing the strain on the wider NHS system.

In addition to the seven conditions included in the Pharmacy First programme, Mitcham Pharmacy offers earwax removal and vaccinations, as well as blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol checks.

On top of this, the pharmacy offers contraception services, and will soon start to offer the emergency contraception service, as part of the Pharmacy First programme.

One patient, Bula, uses Mitcham Pharmacy services for their convenience and advice.

She said: “I use the pharmacy to collect my medication. I walk in here, and they know me by name. They’re all qualified pharmacists and they’re here to help.